Inlet device and its use

Abstract

An inlet device for a reactor vessel ( 5 ) intended for a separation method comprising retaining a substance on a separation medium from a liquid passing through the reactor vessel ( 5 ) which contains the separation medium. The device comprises (a) a distributor block ( 7 ) enabling a liquid flow to pass through the block into the reactor vessel ( 5 ), (b) an inlet block ( 3 ), (c) a distribution chamber ( 1 ) defined by a space between the distributor block ( 7 ) and the outlet side ( 11 ) of the inlet block ( 3 ), (d) at least one conduit (I; 13 a, 13 b . . . ) passing through the inlet block ( 3 ) from the inlet side ( 10 ) to the outlet side ( 11 ) of said inlet block ( 3 ) and ending in the distribution chamber ( 1 ), said at least one conduit being able to distribute liquid into the distribution chamber ( 1 ), (e) a gross liquid flow direction going perpendicular to the plane of the interface between the distribution block ( 7 ) and the distribution chamber ( 1 ). One characteristic feature is that one or more of said at least one conduits ( 13 a, 13 b . . . ) in the chamber ( 1 ) are capable of moving selectively the liquid next to the inlet side surface ( 11 ) of the distribution chamber ( 1 ) along and/or against said surface ( 11 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. In an inlet device for a reactor vessel ( 5 ) for a separation method, which method includes retaining a substance on a separation medium from a liquid passing through the reactor vessel ( 5 ) which contains the separation medium, the improvement comprising including in said reactor vessel 
       (a) a distributor block ( 7 ) for enabling a liquid flow to pass through the block into the reactor vessel ( 5 ),  
       (b) an inlet block ( 3 ),  
       (c) a distribution chamber ( 1 ) defined by a space between the distributor block ( 7 ) and the outlet side ( 11 ) of the inlet block ( 3 ),  
       (d) at least one conduit (I;  13   a , 13   b  . . . ) passing through the inlet block ( 3 ) from the inlet side ( 10 ) to the outlet side ( 11 ) of said inlet block ( 3 ) and ending in the distribution chamber ( 1 ), said at least one conduit being able to distribute liquid into the distribution chamber ( 1 ),  
       (e) a gross liquid flow direction going perpendicular to the plane of the interface between the distribution block ( 7 ) and the distribution chamber ( 1 ),  
       and wherein one or more of said at least one conduits ( 13   a , 13   b  . . . ) in the chamber ( 1 ) are capable of moving selectively the liquid next to the inlet side surface ( 11 ) of the distribution chamber ( 1 ) along and/or against said surface ( 11 ).  
     
     
       2. The inlet device according to  claim 1 , wherein 
       A. one or more conduits (Ia;  13 ′ a , 13 ′ b  . . . ) of said at least one conduit (I;  13   a , 13   b  . . . ) are capable of directing liquid radially in one or more distinct directions, all of which distinct directions are  
       (i) within the interval of 180° around the central axis of the conduit ( 17 ),  
       (ii) in the interval 90°-180°, relative to the liquid flow along the central axis ( 17 ) of the conduit, and  
       B. said one or more conduits (Ia) are mounted in the outlet side ( 11 ) of the inlet block ( 3 ) in a manner to enable a circular liquid movement around the central axis ( 12 ) and along the inlet side ( 11 ) of the distribution chamber ( 1 ), and/or a liquid movement directed towards the same side ( 11 ).  
     
     
       3. The inlet device of  claim 2 , wherein said one or more conduits (Ia;  13 ′ a , 13 ′ b  . . . ) are distributed in an even manner annularly around the central axis ( 12 ) of the outlet side ( 11 ) of the inlet block ( 3 ). 
     
     
       4. The inlet device of  claim 2 , wherein said one or more conduits (Ib;  13 ″ a , 13 ″ b  . . . ) are distributed in an even manner annularly around the central axis ( 12 ) of the outlet side ( 1 ) of the inlet block ( 3 ), with the proviso that, if there is only one conduit (Ib;  13 ″ a , 13 ″ b  . . . ), it is placed in the center of the outlet side ( 11 ) of the inlet block ( 3 ). 
     
     
       5. The inlet device of  claim 2 , wherein said one or more conduits (Ib;  13 ″ a , 13 ″ b  . . . ) is/are located in the inner part and said one or more conduits Ia in the outer part of the outlet side ( 11 ) of the inlet side ( 3 ). 
     
     
       6. The inlet device of  claim 2 , wherein said conduits (Ia;  13 ′ a , 13 ′ b  . . . ) is/are capable of directing liquid in 1-10, such as 1-5, directions, and said conduits Ib, if present, is/are capable of directing liquid in 2-20, such as 2-15 directions. 
     
     
       7. The inlet device of  claim 1 , wherein one or more conduits (Ib;  13 ″ a , 13 ″ b  . . . ) of said at least one conduit (I;  13   a , 13   b  . . . ) direct liquid flow in two or more radial directions substantially opposite to each other. 
     
     
       8. The inlet device of  claim 7 , wherein the conduits (Ib; 14 ″ a , 14 ″ b  . . . ) direct flow in a direction that is in the interval of 90°-180° against the flow in the conduit flow along the length axis ( 17 ) of the conduit ( 14 ″ a ). 
     
     
       9. The inlet device of  claim 1 , wherein the distribution chamber ( 1 ) is circular and coaxial with the central axis ( 12 ) of the reactor vessel ( 5 ), preferentially with a cross-sectional area not extending the cross-sectional area of the reactor vessel ( 5 ). 
     
     
       10. The inlet device of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more conduits of said at least one conduit (I;  13   a , 13   b  . . . ) are rotatable and/or slidable in the inlet block ( 3 ) and/or and have and opened or closed position. 
     
     
       11. The inlet device of  claim 10 , wherein the rotating, sliding and closing and/or opening of said at least one conduits (I;  13   a , 13   b  . . . ) is externally controllable.